Lexus SC

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The Lexus SC series is a personal luxury coupé sold by Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. The first generation, available as the SC 300 or SC 400 was in production from 1991 until July 7, 2000. A second-generation model, the SC 430, went into production in 2001. The first generation SC 300/SC 400 were assembled at Toyota's Higashifuji Technical Center in Motomatchi, Japan. Until 2005, when Lexus was introduced in Japan, the SC was sold in that country as the Toyota Soarer.

The Lexus SC is a front engine, rear-wheel drive design and was sold with either I6 or V8 engines. The current SC 430 model is equipped with a 288-hp V8 engine. Assembly of the second generation Lexus SC occurs at the Kanji (Kanto Jidosha) assembly site.

Contents

Recent Changes

Lexus SC 430 in Tiger Eye Mica.

To mark the end of the line for the slow-selling SC430, Lexus has unveiled a 200 unit limited edition model for Japan dubbed Eternal Jewel. Designed by Toyota's Calty Design Research Center in Newport Beach, California, the Eternal Jewel features a choice of interior and exterior color schemes with contrast roof colors, leather upholstery and wood-grain trim, unique badging and a serial number plate in the center console.[1]

The SC 430 recieved a minor refresh for 2006. Updates included new five-spoke wheels and a modified grille. Additional colors included Tiger Eye Mica, which was also used for the 2006 limited Pebble Beach Edition version of the Lexus SC. Runflat tires were optional. The 2007 Pebble Beach Edition features Starfire Pearl for the exterior color.

For 2008, Lexus launched a new iteration of the limited Pebble Beach Edition Lexus SC430.

Styles and Major Options

The SC 430 comes in one primary trim configuration, with many standard features and few options. A limited Pebble Beach Edition is offered for 2007, and production of the limited edition is allocated at 400 units.

Generations

Second Generation (2001-Present)

2002 Lexus SC430

Lexus showcased its new sports convertible, the SC 430, at the Paris Motorshow in 2000, and the car entered production the following year. Power was provided by a 4.3 L 3UZ-FE V8 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Lexus designers from Europe and Japan worked together to create the convertible's sleek, streamlined design. The car features a retractable aluminium hardtop, all-leather interior, and 18 in alloy wheels. It can seat four and has a base price of US$63,825.

First Generation (1991-2000)

1992 Lexus SC400

The SC 300 and SC 400 were mid-sized coupes available in the United States with a 3.0 L inline 6 2JZ-GE (225 hp and 210 ft·lbf, SC 300) or a 4.0 L V8 1UZ-FE (250 hp and 260 ft·lbf, SC 400). In Japan, an additional engine choice was a 2.5 L twin-turbo inline 6, good for 276 hp on the Toyota Soarer 2.5GT-T/TL. The V8 1UZ-FE motor, also used in the LS 400, was reported to have cost over US$400,000,000 in research and development. In 1996, the SC400's engine design was upgraded to 260 hp from 250 hp. In 1998, both the SC300 and 400 were upgraded with VVT-i and thus the ratings were raised to 290 hp/300 ft·lbf of torque for the SC400 and 225 hp/220 ft·lbf of torque for the SC300. Tests conducted on the new engines showed an acceleration for the SC400 of 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds, and for the SC300 an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. [2]

The SC 400 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1992. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1992 through 1995. The first generation Lexus SC was considered far ahead of its time, which is why it lasted for nearly 10 years without any major changes while comparible cars were being re-designed every 3-4 years.

Motorsport

In 2006 the SC430 was entered in the Super GT race series in the GT500 class (cars with approximately 500 horsepower). Extensively modified from the factory car, the engine used is a modified version of the SC430's 3U-ZFE V8 that was also used in the Toyota Supra race car from previous years.

The new SC430 based race cars were immediately competitive with former GT500 champion Juichi Wakisaka and no.2 driver Andre Lotterer driving the Open Interface TOM's SC to victory at the opening round at Suzuka giving the SC430 its first victory on its debut race.